We move on in our review of the last campaign - join us if you dare for a look back on a pretty miserable November...
Making The Headlines
Lewis Hawkins headed out to York City on loan, while young Stoke City defender James Butler arrived on a loan deal at The Super 6 Stadium after impressing playing against us for Kidsgrove.
Luke Williams was forced to undergo a second operation on his knee, while Michael Woods also headed for the exit door as he agreed a deal to join Harrogate Town.
The biggest story of the month came in the final few days as Matthew Bates left his role as Manager of the Club on Wednesday 28th November.
Bates had overseen an encouraging start to the campaign after being handed the job on a permanent basis in the summer following his excellent work in guiding Pools to safety from relegation in difficult circumstances at the end of 2017/18.
However, a 2-1 home defeat to AFC Fylde was Pools’ sixth National League defeat in succession and, following talks with the Board, it was decided he would leave the Club.
High Point
After a 4-0 defeat at Bromley in the opening game of November, Pools performed admirably in their FA Cup tie at Gillingham and should probably have earned a better result than the goalless draw they came home with.
Matthew Bates’ men had two or three gilt-edged chances against the League One side but couldn’t put them away so the tie went to a Super 6 Stadium replay – and that proved highly dramatic…
Low Point
The Gills visit to the North-East started brilliantly for Pools as goals from Carl Magnay and Paddy McLaughlin saw them ahead 2-0 at the break.
However, The Gills clawed one back early in the second half before the referee awarded a controversially late injury-time penalty against Magnay and Tom Eaves took the game to extra-time from the spot.
The visitors took hold in extra-time and went 4-2 in front before loan man Tyrone O’Neill pulled one back near the end for Pools but it proved too little too late.
Goal Of The Month Winner
Josh Hawkes took the Super 6 Goal of the Month trophy for November after climbing off the bench to pull a goal back in our 2-1 defeat at Dover Athletic.
The midfielder wriggled his way down the left side of the pitch before producing a devastating finish but, sadly, it came just too late to help Pools bring any reward back from the trip to Kent.
Points Gained: 0
Goals Scored: 6
Starting Position: 9th
Finishing Position: 13th